What is Archaeology?

Archaeology is the scientific study of past cultures and the way people lived based on the things they left behind. Often it is something that was thrown away, dropped or intentionally buried by people who once lived on the land where we live.

Archaeologists study past cultures/lives by digging in the dirt, or excavating, to find the artifacts that have been buried in the ground. Over time, soil builds up and covers things left on the ground. Through their work we have a greater understanding of our past. For example, the discovery of the buried ship at Sutton Hoo and treasures inside it, have helped us understand life 600 years ago.

Sutton Hoo ship burial

Further information

A good explanation of archaeology can be viewed on the following web page
http://bama.ua.edu/~alaarch/Whatisarchaeology/

The official site for the week
festival.britarch.ac.uk

Also on this day.....

On 17 July 1955, 6,000 by-invitation-only guests were invited for a special preview of Disneyland before it opened to the public the following day. Disneyland opened with 18 major attractions and an entrance fee of just $1. Today, there are more than 60 attractions.